The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-18

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Sir Francis Cunliffe Owen was the next
speaker. He made reference to MI. Childs
as Il personal friend, and a man whose
generous nature and many fine qualities
were MS well known in England as in his
own country. The bands played the
Queens Anthem" and "Hail Columbia
and three cheers for the Queen, the Presi-
dent and Minister Phelps, and a round OF
acclymations for Mr.. Childs concluded
the outdoor proceedings.
The guests and the corporation were
afterwards given n banquet in the own
hall, at which the mayor presided. h
Immortal Memocy Of Shakespeare was
proposed by Theodore Martin, and was re-
ceived in reverent silence. Lord Dele
ware gave ''The President" and Mr..
Phelps responded. lie said it was always
a gratifying duty to reply TO a toast inyarl-
ably honored so heartily by English
men. The kindness which everywhere
surrounded the path Of Americas
representative was evidence of the cordial
friendship felt toward their brethren
across the seas. In all that had been
said regarding the value Of the continuance
OF friendly relations between the countries
he cordially concurred. These relations
were not the property OF England and
America alone, but concerned the
whole civilized world. ["Hear, hear."l
1t would be a calamity too
great TO he anticipated il these
relations should terminate. II was ever to
he borne in mind thatthc friendship Of the
people depended far less on the conduct OF
their public men han on the spirit which
cmanatcs from the people themselves.
Hear, hear. Diplomacy would probably
get credit for more than il was worth in the
guidance of these relations. II had really
very little place in creating the existing
friendship between the two great branches
Of the Anglo-SaXon people. Nations did
not quarrel unless they desired TO do so,
when hostile provocation was not FAR TO
seek. Diplomacy did not count for much
as compared with knowledge and apprecia-
ton Of each others spirit. Friendly rela-
tons were much better maintained by
mutual Justice and kindncsscs than by at
tempting to obtain diplomatic promises
that injustice and %unkindncss would not
be attempted. Such promises might be
worthless, aud they would be needless
when amutual friendship bound twocoun-
tries together. IL was u distinctive merit
Of the gift which his distinguished u
tryman, Mr.. Childs, had presented TO
Statford-on-Avon that IL was in accord
with all proprieties and in unison with
everything that will help 10 cement the
friendship OF England and America. In
what better place could an American citi-
zen erect a memorial Americans had by
pilgrimage for successive generations their
right to a heritage in Shakespeare in ON
mon with the English people. [Cheen.
IL was q well timed memorial, given in the
jubilee year Of the sovereign. lie had
been an Interested spectator OF the
jubilee, but nothing Of all lac had
seen impressed him morc-not the pa
geants, nor the c%oncourse Of distinguished
mcmillan the display Of the universal 10y
atty Of the people toward their Queen and
country. lChecrs. To him that was the
chief lesson, and the most significant, Of
the jubilee period. Americans who were
loyal 10 their own government could UNI
dcrstand the LOYALTY OF the English people.
Concluding, Mr.. Phelps said: "Mr.
Childs' gift, though from one Amer
lean citizen only, will be applaudcd by
many thousands Of Americans who would
have been glad To contribute toward its
erection. Long may the memorial stand,
an emblem, monument and landmark of
the enduring and cordial fricndliness OF
my countrymen and the English people.
May many generations Of Englishmen and
Americans drink together Of its waters!
May many gcncmtionsof school boys drink
in with its waters kindly thoughts Of the
kinsmcn across the scas.' tChecrsl.
At this point the chairman read n tclc-
gram from the Queens private secretary,
saving: "llcr majesty is much giutiicd by
your kind and LOYAL expressions, and Il
pleased to hear OF the handsome giit OF Mr..
Childs Ia Stratford.'
Mr.. Walter, proprietor Of the London
Times, proposed the health OF MIR. Childs,
whom lac said he had known Tor twenty
ycars. lie referred 10 the successful
career Of Mr.. Childs ~ that Of q aclf-madc
man, and spoke Of the noble Uses 10 which
he applied his fortune.
DIR. MacAulcy responded for Mr.. Childs.
MR. IRVING,
replying TO q toast to his " health, said:
as an actor I can breathe no higher dis
tinction Of being prominently associated
with some public work in connection with
S~hakcspcarr's memory in Shakespeare
native town. 10 is 10 the lasting honor Of
the actors calling that the poet 81 all time
was n player, ami that he achieved inn
mortality by writing for the stage.
OF all the eloquent tributes which
have been paid TO Shakespeare, one
ever recalls the words Of his fellow acton
10 whose loving rare We owe the fnt cdi-
ton Of his works, and who tell us that, as
he was q happy imitator OF nature, he was
q most gentle cXprcsscr Of IL. All We can
desire in the artistic embodiment Of life
this most gentle cXprcssgr Of nature has
given ~. Tho actors art today comes
much nearer Shnkcspcarc's estimate Of
liz importance in the intelligent life Of q
community than il did in times when
the corporation " Siritiprd-on-Av ~.
fused 90 permit the performance even Of
his own plays. | hope that reminder
touches mo- tender spot in your municipal
pride. The players were not treated with
%contumcly In Stafford, and perhaps Il was
the influence oi Shakespeare memory
which induced the corporation ON one
occasion 20 pay them the handsome sum
of 40 shillingstogoaway. laughter Ina
few days ! shall sail lori great country where
any worthy representative ot Shakespeare
ON the stage commands Just ~ stanch
support from the public ms in our own
land. ! shall carry ~ your ambassador 10
Mr.. Childs your enthusiastic appreciation
Of his generous gift. Today's ceremonial
has given infinite pleasure 10 all, for Il
has renewed our hallowcd a~ssocia.
tons with the mighty dead, and
II has reminded two great nations
Of the bond which no calamity can dis.
solve, and, believe me, II will make every
actor In the worldwide sphere Of Shakes.
peare's influence proudor than ever of the
calling which ! have the privilege OF rep.
rusenting here [Chccrs.l
After the banquet Mcssrs. Phelps and
Irving and other distinguished guests n.
turned 10 London. 4 crowd assembled ut